Almeria

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Almería, located in the south-east corner of Spain, boasts an exceptional climate and an ideal geographical position. Spanning 8,774 square kilometres, the province of Almería offers an unusual and varied landscape; from the arid Tabernas desert to the snow-capped mountains of Sierra Nevada. Its coastline, with spectacular volcanic beaches and reefs, is the place with the lowest annual rainfall and the highest annual sunshine hours in Europe.

The province has a long history. The oldest remains date back to the Third Millennium B.C. They come from the first “city” to emerge in the Province, Los Millares. Almería, known as a crossroads between Europe and Africa has much Eastern Mediterranean influence. Its history features several civilisations which settled in the Almerian territory over centuries; Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians and Romans to name just a few. Portus Magnus, where the capital is located today, was founded by the Romans. After the Romans, new civilisations arrived: the Vandals, the Byzantines and the Visigoths. It has been the Islamic civilisation, however, that has most influenced the culture of the region.

Almería was founded by Abderamán III in 955 A.D. and it quickly became the major port of the Caliphate of Al-Andalus. During the 11th century, Almería grew wealthy from the trade of silk and became the capital of the Taifa Kingdom. The link between Almería and the Mediterranean Sea has always been strong, to such an extent that some researchers believe that Almería means “Sea Mirror”, while others say that it means “Watchtower”, due to an old tower from which the guards could watch over the sea.

As well as its long history and its incredible landscape, the environment is also remarkable in the province. The Mediterranean Village lies within the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park, a volcanic massif and wetland of outstanding ecological importance. Also, Almería boasts a national park and three natural parks as well as a jagged mountain range with mountains such as Chullo (2,600 m), Almirez (2,519 m) and Calar Alto (2,168 m), where the second most important astronomical observatory in Europe is situated.

The desert landscapes and unspoilt beaches have made Almería a popular choice for filming American box office hits which include “Patton”, “Lawrence of Arabia”, “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” as well as spaghetti westerns and films directed by important European directors.

The economy of Almería is one of the most dynamic in Andalusia. The economic boom experienced over the last few decades can be said to be thanks to three important factors: intensive agriculture based on plastic greenhouse farming; a high-quality tourist industry based largely on sun and beaches; and the extraction and production of marble.

This new development has brought about a considerable change in migratory flows. During most of the 20th century, Almería suffered a real diaspora, with many Almerians living and working in America, North Africa and Europe. Since the 1980s and as a result of the important increase in farming production, the province has become the promised land for thousands of immigrants from North Africa, Eastern European countries and Latin America.

The province of Almería has a population of 580,000 inhabitants, of which 178,000 live in the capital city, also named Almería. This population is made up of a dynamic, enterprising and open-minded society, which is currently experiencing a remarkable demographic and economic growth. As part of the programme for hosting the XV Mediterranean Games Almería 2005, the capital city -Almería- and the six subvenues -El Ejido, Roquetas de Mar, Vícar, Huércal, Gádor and Cuevas del Almanzora- are heavily investing in infrastructure. The Mediterranean Village, the Mediterranean Stadium and the Mediterranean Sports Palace are examples of their commitment to offer the best facilities for the Games.

In 2005, Almería and its past as a crossroads of Mediterranean cultures will meet again. The province and the city are looking towards a future in which the links between the two shores of the Mare Nostrum will become increasingly important. For ten days, Almería will be the Mediterranean host to the great sports and cultural fiesta.

Arts and Literature: A group known as “Indalianos”, led by Jesús de Perceval, has been the most relevant painting movement to emerge from Almería. Cantón Checa, Cañadas and Capuleto were also members of this group, which became known during the post-war years.

Among writers, the modernist poet and playwright Francisco Villaespesa has been the most outstanding figure. Carmen de Burgos, also known as Colombine, was the first Spanish war correspondent and precursor of the feminist cause. Agustín Gómez-Arcos is the most important writer of the second half of the 20th century. He lived in exile during Franco dictatorship and wrote most of his works in French, as well as being short-listed several times for the Goncourt Prize. Many different authors have written about Almería, such as Gerald Brenan, José Ángel Valente, Aldous Huxley, Camilo José Cela, Elsa Morante, Pablo Neruda, but particularly Juan Goytisolo, who is the author of “Campos de Níjar” and “La Chanca”.

With regard to music, the most famous composer is maestro Padilla, author of songs such as “La Violetera” or “El Relicario”. Almería has also been the birthplace of outstanding flamenco guitarists: Antonio de Torres, in the 19th century, designer of the current guitar shape, and today Tomatito and Niño Josele, who are two of the most well-known guitarists.

Almería became a huge outdoor film set during the sixties thanks to its desert-like landscape and light. Sergio Leone and his spaghetti westerns brought fame to Almería’s natural stages, where other Hollywood productions such as “Cleopatra”, Lawrence of Arabia”, “Patton” or more recently “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” have also been shot. From that time, three Western towns remain where films, TV series and commercials are still filmed.

AFAL (Almería Photographic Art) Group, led by Carlos Pérez Siquier, brought about a complete revolution in the world of photography in the fifties. Nowadays we should mention Manuel Falces, COJMA’s President for the Cultural Committee and Director of the Andalusian Centre for Photography, where some of the best photographers in the world have exhibited their works.

The most important events in the Almerian culture programme are Golden Age Theatre Festival, El Ejido Theatre Festival and Alamar Mediterranean Music Festival.

Sport in Almería: The road to the XV Mediterranean Games Almería 2005 has strengthened the basis of sport in Almería and has provided the top-class sport of the province with important structures, both in individual and collective disciplines.

As for team sports, Almería has two football clubs playing in Second Division in the so-called best football league of the world: Polideportivo Ejido and Unión Deportiva Almería. On an individual level, Almería has provided the “Stars League” with some players, such as Héctor Berenguel, playing for Deportivo de la Coruña, Diego Capel, for Sevilla, and Francisco, for Albacete.

One of the leading sports in Almería is volleyball, partially due to the success reaped by Club Unicaja Almería. It is the team that has won most prizes in modern volleyball in Spain, being the champion of the last editions of the National League. Several players of this team, significantly the Almerian players Carlos Carreño and Manuel Berenguel, have played for the Spanish team on numerous occasions.

Handball is also widely practised in the province. The greatest success has been achieved by the female team and the Vícar Goya team, which remains for the last years in the first division. It has also reached the European Competition on two occasions. As for male teams, CB Ciudad de Almería, that is playing in the ASOBAL League. Basketball has achieved great moments for Almerian sport, its leading representative in the LEB 2 League being El Ejido CB some years ago.

Individual categories included in the Mediterranean list also account for work and sports success. Weightlifting is one of the categories that has lately brought great success to the people of Almería with the medals obtained by Pepi Pérez Carmona.

Athletics has also proved to be an outstanding discipline in Almería and there are many young people aiming at achieving success in Almería 2005; a success recently reaped by cyclist Juan Martínez Oliver, manager of the old professional team ‘Jazztel Costa de Almería’, which Almerian cyclist Carlos Golbano also belonged to.

This overview of outstanding names in Almerian sport cannot forget about the discipline of sailing, which has experienced a tremendous growth in the province during the last few years. Mariano Sarmiento, as a member of the pre-Olympic Spanish team, heads a generation which includes Fresneda Brothers, Raúl de Valenzuela, Rogelio Villanueva and José Latorre.